Courses with great future scope in B.E/B.Tech Admissions 2016: Leather Technology

Introduction to Leather Technology:

How can we forget the leather that we are using every day in our belts, shoes, hand bags and a lot more accessories? What about taking it as a career itself? Cool know… You can use modern technologies in production of leather in industries and make your own creative design for goods that are built from leather too… How to do it? The answer is by taking a B.Tech course in “Leather Technology”.

India’s leather industry is the fourth largest in the world offering charming goods to consumers present both locally and internationally. With its attractive career choices, leather industry of our country has huge potential which can be tapped if investments can be acquired and latest technology is brought in. Leather technology that is being employed in the leather industry till very recently entertained experienced professionals as there were no academic or research institutions for teaching this course. But now the modern requirement to implement latest technology to produce fine range of leather product has forced the industry to set various colleges to teach about effectively producing leather goods with the help of latest technologies.

Need for innovation in Leather Technology:

Leather technology is fast changing and hence it becomes crucial to keep pace with the latest advancements that are occurring in the field. So a desperate need for innovation arose across this field and that paved way to a B.Tech degree program in leather technology that started acting as an entry ticket to this industry. The courses in leather technology are designed to fit to the specific requirements of this field and helps a candidate to fit into his job perfectly.

Taking a career path in Leather technology:

Before deciding for a career in leather technology, students should think about various prevailing working conditions. For example they must think twice about working in smelly tanneries or leather processing units which could be brutally difficult. In addition to it, there is no guarantee that a leather designer can turn out to be a celebrity designer since succeeding in this field requires lot more than mere designing excellence. Jobs in leather companies are also quite challenging but profitable and provides plenty of learning experience which can later be used to open up your own production unit too.

In those early days, Leather was considered as an untouchable product but now the scenario has changed completely as leather has become an integral part of all the modern accessories that requires durability and longevity. This has made this material withstand years of human evolution and this wonderful piece of material still lies in possession of almost all section of people for several centuries. Career in Leather Technology, particularly in designing is not only high paying but glamorous too. However it requires extreme levels of flair and interest too to come out in flying colors in this industry.

Cost involved and Pay package:

A full time B.Tech course spanning 4 years in Leather Technology would cost approximately between Rs. 2 lakh to 3 lakh for a student. This fee includes cost of the raw materials, fee of the course and caution money. Additionally hostel expenses are also to be borne by the candidate. The courses include designing or production of leather garments, footwear and accessories. Economically poor candidates can opt for one year diploma course which may cost between Rs 30,000-50,000.

Compensation packages in leather industry are heavily dependent on the skills of the candidate. Since many companies are in private sector, they pay according to their comfort and availability of human resource or based on the demand. Big MNC’s pay attractive salaries in comparison to the small companies that are available in this sector. However, situation will change quickly as more and more multinational companies have set their foot on India in recent years. As of now, a young leather technologist can expect a starting pay package of nearly Rs 10,000 per month.

Job Prospects in Leather Industry:

Job prospects are bright for candidates possessing excellent designing skills combined with artistic finesse and mental ability. The field is also in dire need of designers having a creative mindset and stand out among the client with his/her unique capabilities. An ideal leather designer should come up with new ideas, designs and concept and must try to add value to the customer. The Indian leather industry is growing at a monstrous pace and at the current situation it can accommodate any number of professionals. India is currently the leading exporter of leather and leather products in the world.

Many export houses of our nation are willing to employ both technical and non-technical persons to fill various positions. Leather technologists are being employed by chemical and engineering industries that are involved in the manufacturing of items such as suitcases, bags, upholstery, cricket balls, foot balls, car and aircraft seats, gaskets and hydraulic seals.

Various Job positions for a Leather Technology Professional:

Leather Technology professionals have the capability to fit into wide plethora of job opportunities some of which are as listed below:

       a)   Designer of footwear

       b)   Designer of belts

       c)   Bag Designer

       d)   Designer of purses

       e)   Caps and toys designer

       f)    Upholstery designer

       g)   Baggage designer

       h)   Musical instruments designer

       i)     Garment tags designer

       j)     Designer for gift items

Subjects taught at Leather Technology Course:

      ·        Biotechnology of leather manufacture

      ·        Mechanics of Leather Machines

      ·        Methods of leather manufacture

      ·        Analytical chemistry of leather

      ·        Footwear and leather goods technology

      ·        Biochemistry of proteins

      ·        Principles of Pre-Tannage

      ·        Analytical Chemistry of pre-tanning materials

      ·        Post tanning operations

      ·        Analytical Chemistry of Post Tanning & Finishing agents

      ·        Methods of leather manufacture

Top Companies for Leather Technologists:

      ·        Indian Rayon & Industries

      ·        Jain Tanners

      ·        Balmer Lawrie & Co

      ·        India Polyfibres

      ·        PolyPlex Corporation.

      ·        Mirza Tanners

      ·        Bata India Ltd.

Students who have completed their B.Tech degree in Leather Technology can either go to job or continue their higher studies by enrolling themselves for ME or M.Tech degree in Leather Technology. Career in leather technology is filled with growth prospects and a new entrant into this field can later on move from production technologist to quality control checker, research or technical management, etc.

By gaining few years of experience Leather Engineers can climb up the corporate ladder to higher managerial positions such as becoming a Leather Technician or Leather Product Designer or Process Engineer or Quality Control Manager. They can even widen their career prospects to various other departments such as purchase, sales or marketing. Finally you can even get into MNCs if you are selected for an overseas job!

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